Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford Expedition submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOTICED CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK. HAVE ACCIDENT, THE CAR ROLL OVER TO ANOTHER CAR, I CAN"T PARK DOWN HILL IS TO DANGERS, IS NOT SAFETY . *TR
THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK. HAVE ACCIDENT, THE CAR ROLL OVER TO ANOTHER CAR, I CAN"T PARK DOWN HILL IS TO DANGERS, IS TOT SAFETY . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260.000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME AREA. THE AREA THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE STRAP TO THE SECURE THE FUEL TANK WAS THE AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ
HUSBAND DROVE CAR ALL DAY LONG WITH NO ISSUE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. HE PARKED IT ABOUT 10PM. WE ALL WENT TO BED. AT 3:15 AM WE WERE AWAKENED BY NEIGHBORS SCREAMING OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT HAD STARTED ON FIRE. NOT SURE WHY OR HOW, WHEN IT WAS RUNNING JUST FINE DURING THE DAY. THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS BURNT UP, THE TIRES WERE MELTED, IT WAS RUINED. THE FIRE SCORCHED PART OF THE HOUSE ON THE FRONT. IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE AND MELTED AWAY SOME OF THE SIDING AND THE DOOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABLE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 156,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A NORMAL SPEED THE SPARE TIRE ON MY EXPEDITION FELL OFF WHEN THE CABLE HOLDING THE TIRE UP SEEMED TO HAVE BROKE. MY VEHICLE RAN OVER THE TIRE AND I COULD SEE THE SPARE BOUNCING WILDLY DOWN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER CARS HIT THE TIRE BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE SINCE A CAR JUST PASSED FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY THEY COULD HAVE MISSED THE BOUNCING TIRE IN THE ONCOMING LANE. FORD DOES NOT KNOW HOW CLOSE THEY CAME TO KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH WITHOUT BUMPS, THE TIRE JUST FELL OFF. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVE NEVER USED THE SPARE TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
OUR SPARE TIRE THAT WAS MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR, -FELL OFF- WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CABLE "BROKE" THAT WAS HOLDING IT IN PLACE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THANK GOODNESS WE WERE NOT ON THE FREEWAY. IT WILL COST $100. TO REPAIR. *TR
THE CHILD SAFETY DOOR LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS OF OUR 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WILL GRADUALLY MOVE THEMSELVES FROM THE OFF TO THE ON POSITION, PREVENTING THE REAR PASSENGERS FROM BEING ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT SOMEONE OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TAPE THE LOCKS IN THE OFF POSITION, BUT THIS HAS NOT WORKED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE IT WAS RAINING, WATER BEGAN TO DRIP ON THE DRIVER'S LEG. THE WATER CAME FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE AIR VENT DUCT LOCATED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY THE WINDSHIELD. THE STEREO AND INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VENT DUCT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FINISH ON THE REAR OF BOTH EXTERIOR SIDE MIRRORS IS PEELING. HE CAN SEE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE MIRRORS AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,034. UPDATED 09/26/07 *TR
1997 FORD EXPEDITION - THE HINGES ON REAR GLASS LIFTGATE BROKE / FRACTURED CAUSING REAR WINDOW GLASS TO DISCONNECT FROM THE VEHICLES AND CRASH TO THE GROUND AND SHATTER. THIS SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ALREADY IN EFFECT FOR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V442000. *JB
HINGES COMPLETELY FAILED/BROKEN ON LIFTGATE WINDOW OF 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WINDOW HANGING PRECARIOUSLY BY LATCH ALONE. COULD EASILY HAVE FALLEN/SHATTERED AND INJURED CHILDREN OF OWNER RIDING IN 3RD SEAT. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT ACKNOWLEDGED AND SAFETY RECALLED IN EXPLORERS ALREADY. *JB
PAINT AND FINISH ON ROOF OF VEHICLE PEELING, CRACKING, FLAKING OFF - OXIDATION FROM RUST, RUINING ENTIRE OUTER CAR SURFACE - HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT PRIMER COAT WAS EITHER MISSED OR SKIMPED DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS... FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE - ONE MALE REP FROM FORD STATED: "THE PAINT JOB IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO LAST 2 YEARS" NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER...ALSO, CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ENGAGE THEMSELVES, THUS PREVENTING OCCUPANTS IN REAR SEATS TO EXIT VEHICLE, CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION... ALSO, VEHICLE REAR WHEELS AND OR AXELS "CHATTER" AT LOW SPEED TURNS... ALSO, AN AUDIBLE HUM IN VEHICLE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS...ALSO, AUDIBLE SQUEAKING FROM INTERIOR SIDE PANELS...FORD DEALER STATES: CAUSE CANNOT BE LOCATED...ALSO, LEATHER SEATS HAVE CRACKED AND SHOW SIGNS OF ABNORMAL WEAR - THIS IS APPARANT IN ALL LEATHER SEAT COVERINGS BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE FRONT "BUCKET" OR "CAPTAIN" SEATS...FORD STATES WARRANTY FOR VEHICLE NO LONGER COVERS -ENGINE HAS HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OF "MISFIRING" OF "REVVING" ON IT'S OWN - HAS BEEN EXPLAINED AWAY AS A "COMPUTER" PROBLEM OR A "SENSOR" PROBLEM - ALWAYS AT COST TO CONSUMER..."CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, USING PREVIOUS EXPLANATIONS AS STATED PREVIOUSLY. HAVE NUMEROUS INVOICES FOR REPLACEMENTS OF SENSORS, COMPUTER CHIPS, ETC.*AK
BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN ON MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT RUNNING BOARD LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT UP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR, DOOR SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, BUT IT DOESN'T. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HER DAUGHTER ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. *JG
CABLE AND HOUSING BROKE JUST FORWARD OF FIRE WALL. POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING INCIDENT.*AK
TURNING RT AFTER A STOP, I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. INSTANTLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LISP TO THE LEFT AND TRAVEL ACROSS THE CENTER LANE. APPLYING THE BRAKES I COULD NOT TURN BACK INTO THE RT LANE. THE LEFT DRIVERS MIRROW WAS RIPPED OFF AS IT CLIPPED A NEIGHBORS LAWN POLE. STANDING I STILL COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE. IT STOPPED. NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE DRIVERS DOOR, I DID THE PASSENGERS. INSPECTING, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS GONE. TOWED TO BEAUDRT FORD THE VEHICLE HAD TWICE THE DAMAGE AS AT THE SCENE. ( PICTURES WERE TAKEN AT BOTH PLACES). ASK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS, I WAS TOLD NO, 4 TIMES. THIS IS UNTRUE. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ALLOW BEAUDRY TO FIX MY VEHICLE AS THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT GET ANY FORD ENGINEERS TO INSPECT THE CAR. THIS SUV FELL APART. 152,000 OF THE SAME YEAR 4X4S WERE RECALLED. *AK
THE DOOR JAM SWITCH FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE SWITCH SENSORS THINKS DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S NOT. ALSO, DOME LIGHT IN FRONT WOULD REMAIN ON & WOULD RUN THE BATTERY DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRABLE, BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY.
THE VEHICLE HAS CRACKS DEVELOPING ON THE ROOF ON BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REMEDIED. *AK
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN, REPAIRED AS PER TSB 980920, THEN REPLACED.GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM PARK, RE-STARTED MANY TIMES AND EVENTUALL ABLE TO SHIFT.ESSENTIALLY OVER THE COURSE OF 6 VISITS THE ENTIRE COMPONENT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND IS NOW RETURNED.FRONT FENDERS WERE CURLED IN, PAINT DEFECTS WITH RUST SPOTS AND PAINT CLUMPS.
THE SUNROOF LEAK HAS CAUSED WATER TO ENTER ABOVE THE HEADLINER AND SHORT OUT THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE/INTERIOR LIGHTS
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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